While I love my favorite carrot cake recipe, it makes a pretty big cake. What if you need a smaller, 6-inch carrot cake recipe??

I’ve received some emails requesting exactly that, so here is my small batch carrot cake recipe.

How Many Layers Does This 6-Inch Carrot Cake Recipe Make?

This small batch recipe makes 3, perfect little 6-inch cake layers.

These cake layers bake up with a bit of a rounded top, so I recommend leveling them with a serrated knife. With that in mind, you should end up with cake layers that are about 1 inch tall.

Initially I thought I could just cut the recipe in half. You can do this, but the cake layers turn out quite thin.

In the end, I found that making 2/3 of a batch is the ideal amount of batter for a 6-inch layer cake.

How to Make This 6-Inch Carrot Cake Recipe

To make sure this cake turns out as amazing as possible, let’s walk through each step together! I’ve also included a video tutorial of the process below.

I figured it might be helpful to know what tools I use too, so I’ve shared a list below too.

Not all of these are mandatory, but they make the process a lot easier.

If you don’t have all these things on hand, feel free to improvise and work with what you have.

• 3, 6-inch Cake Pans
• Spinning Cake Stand
• Whisk
• Serrated Knife
• 8-inch Greaseproof Cake Board or Flat Plate
• Large Offset Spatula
• Bench Scraper
• 2 Small Piping Bags
• 1 Very Small Piping Tip (like a Wilton 3)
• 1 Small Piping Tip (like a Wilton 10)
• Orange and Green Gel Food Coloring

Step 1: Bake the Moist Carrot Cake Layers

Make the carrot cake batter first following the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

I love this cake recipe because it can be made by hand and comes together so quickly.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Remove the cake layers from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 30 minutes. Or if you’re in a rush, place the pans directly in the freezer to accelerate the cooling process.

Then gently run an offset spatula around the rim of the cake pans to loosen them and flip them onto wire racks to finish cooling.

These layers bake up with a rounded top, so leveling them is recommended! Use a serrated knife to level the top of each cake layer once they’re fully cooled.

If you’re making these in advance, you can wrap and freeze them at this point.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake layers bake and cool, make the cream cheese frosting.

I love cream cheese frosting, but I know that some people find it quite sweet!

If you want to use a less sweet frosting, I’d recommend making a half batch of my Swiss meringue buttercream or a batch of my hybrid buttercream.

This frosting can also be made in advance if needed and kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for a month.

Wait to color the frosting until we’ve filled and frosted the cake.

Step 3: Stack and Frost the Cake Layers

Then it’s time to assemble this cake! Stack and frost cake layers on a greaseproof cake board or flat plate. Use a dab of buttercream to help stick the first cake layer to the board.

Spread an even layer of buttercream on top of the cake layer with a large offset spatula.

Repeat with the remaining cake layers and place the top cake layer upside down to make the cake easier to frost.

Step 4: Crumb Coat the Cake

Spread a thin coat of frosting around the cake to fully cover the cake layers.

Smooth the frosting using a large offset spatula and/or bench scraper, then chill the cake in the fridge (30 minutes) or freezer (10 minutes) until the frosting is firm to the touch.

Step 5: Add the Second Layer of Frosting

Then add another layer of frosting around the cake and create a textured look using a large offset spatula or the back of a spoon.

Step 6: Color the Remaining Frosting and Decorate the Cake

Place half of the remaining frosting in a separate bowl and color it green with gel food coloring.

Place it in a piping bag fitted with a very small frosting tip (like a Wilton 3). Seal the top of the bag with a rubber band or clip.

Color the remaining frosting orange with gel food coloring. Place it in a piping bag fitted with a small round piping tip (like a Wilton 10) or cut an opening about 1 cm wide. Seal the top of the bag with a rubber band or clip.

Use the green and orange frosting to pipe little carrots around the cake, then enjoy!

If you’re making this cake in advance, it can sit at room temperature for a few hours or be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

Substitutions and Swaps – Carrot Cake Layers

This recipe uses quite a few ingredients and I know you might not have them all on hand. Or if you have food allergies or restrictions, I’ve got you covered.

Below are some swaps and substitutions that can be made in this cake recipe.

• All Purpose Flour – This recipe turns out best with AP flour, but you can use a gluten-free flour blend or cake flour if that’s what you have on hand.
• Granulated Sugar – I do not recommend changing the type or reducing the amount of sugar because it will change the texture of the cake layers.
• Brown Sugar – I prefer using light brown sugar, but you can also use dark brown sugar if needed.
• Ground Spices – These are the star of the show in this cake, so I don’t recommend skimping on them! Make sure your spices are fresh and fragrant.
• Large Eggs – If you have an egg allergy, you can try using flaxseed eggs or a vegan egg replacer.
• Vegetable Oil – Any flavorless oil will work in this recipe. Canola or even sunflower oil would work great!
• Buttermilk – You can also use full fat yogurt, whole milk, sour cream, or an alternative yogurt or milk (almond, soy, oat) if you’re dairy free.
• Shredded Carrots – I like to buy large carrots, peel them, then finely grate them using a microplane grater. It gives this carrot cake an amazing texture! However, you can also use a regular grater or a food processor to shred the carrots. Just be sure you don’t use pre-grated carrots! They are dry and their lack of moisture will make the cake layers less moist.

Substitutions and Swaps – Cream Cheese Frosting

• Unsalted Butter – If you only have salted butter on hand, you can use it in place of the unsalted butter. Just be sure to omit the salt that this frosting recipe calls for. You can also use vegan butter in its place (and omit the salt)!
• Cream Cheese – I find full fat cream cheese that comes in a block works best in this recipe. Avoid whipped cream cheese or cream cheese that comes in a tub. They usually contain additives to make them more spreadable.
• Heavy Cream – Whole milk or alternative milk (soy, almond, oat) will work fine in this frosting recipe if that’s what you have on hand.
• Green and Orange Gel Food Coloring – Gel or oil-based food coloring works best to color the buttercream. Liquid food coloring can be used, but it’s more difficult to create vibrant colors.

Carrot Cake Troubleshooting & FAQs

While I’d love to think everyone’s carrot cake will turn out perfectly, I know that sometimes things don’t go to plan.

Below are some tips and advice to help, along with some answers to frequently asked questions.

Why Did My Carrot Cake Layers Sink in the Middle?

Sunken cake layers can be caused by a few different things, but most of the time it happens because the layers are underbaked.

This can happen if your oven runs a bit cold, or if the batter isn’t evenly distributed between your pans.

Usually, baking the cake layers a couple minutes longer fixes this, but if that doesn’t work, I’d recommend checking out my detailed post on why cake layers can sink or my cake troubleshooting guide.

But if one or more of your cake layers sunk, don’t worry! Usually you can barely tell once you level the cake layers.

Level them down to the bottom of the sunken center or trim away the underbaked center and fill it with cake top scraps or extra frosting.

Can I Make This Carrot Cake in Different Sizes?

I used 3, 6-inch cake pans to make this cake, but this recipe can be used to make different sized cakes.

You can make two, 8-inch cake layers with one batch of batter. Bake the cake layers at 350 F / 175 C for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

One batch of batter can also be used to make one 9×13-inch sheet cake. Bake it at 350 F / 175 C for 30-40 minutes and use flower nails or heating cores to help the cake bake evenly. It will end up being about 1 inch tall.

If you want to make cupcakes, I highly recommend using my carrot cake cupcake recipe. One batch makes a dozen cupcakes.

What’s the Best Way to Shred Carrots for Carrot Cake?

This carrot cake recipe turns out best when it’s made with finely grated carrots. I like to grate them by hand with a microplane grater.

While it takes a bit more work, it gives the carrot cake such an amazing, soft texture. The carrots almost dissolve into the batter and I love that!

However, you can also shred them with a food processor or a KitchenAid attachment. This is a great option if you’re short on time or don’t want to grate the carrots by hand.

Do note that the texture of the layers will be slightly different though!

Can I Add Nuts to This Carrot Cake Recipe?

Yes! While I usually don’t include nuts in my carrot cake, I know some people like to!

Feel free to add 1/2 cup of your favorite chopped nuts to give this carrot a bit of texture. Or better yet, toast the nuts before adding them to create a more complex flavor.

Tips for Making the Best Small Carrot Cake

• Properly measure the flour (spoon into the cup measure, then level) or use a kitchen scale to measure the dry ingredients.
• Use a microplane grater to shred the carrots into super fine pieces! It’s a bit of extra work, but it gives the cake a wonderful texture.
• Mix the cake batter just until the ingredients are incorporated once you add in the flour. This will ensure your cake layers are tender and fluffy.
• Use a serrated knife to level the cake layers once they’re fully cooled to make it easier to assemble the cake.
• Chill the cake layers in the freezer for about 20 minutes before assembling the cake. It makes it so much easier to stack and frost.
• Don’t use pre-grated carrots! They are dry and their lack of moisture will make the cake layers less moist.

Making This 6-Inch Carrot Cake Recipe in Advance and Storage Tips

I highly recommend making these cake layers in advance and freezing them. It breaks the process up and makes it more approachable.

You can also make the frosting ahead of time, or save any leftover frosting! It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to a month.

Be sure to give it a good stir once it thaws to get the consistency nice and smooth again.

A frosted cake can last in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month. The buttercream locks in all the moisture, keeping the cake fresh and delicious!

If you cut into the cake and have leftovers, use any remaining frosting to cover the cut section to keep it moist and store it in the fridge for up to a week.

Let Me Know What You Think!

If you try this 6-inch carrot cake recipe, I’d love to hear what you think of it! Please leave a rating and comment below.

Tag me @chelsweets and use #chelsweets on social media so I can see your amazing creations!

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